MILLINGTON, Tenn. -- Lt. Cmdr. Ben Anderson, a 2015 Cal Poly graduate with a Master's in Public Policy, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander in a ceremony at the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), Dec. 11.
Anderson, a public affairs officer (PAO) and co-department head of NAVCO's event planning department, was one of 18 active-duty PAOs in the Navy selected for the promotion.
During the ceremony, Anderson re-affirmed his Oath of Office with Cmdr. Krin Burzynski, NAVCO's director, who joined John Wallach, NAVCO's deputy director, in pinning Anderson with is oak leaf collar insignia.
Anderson's oak leaves hold special significance with him.
"I was given these particular oak leaves from Cmdr. Francisco Magallon when I worked at the Pentagon," Anderson said. "They were dipped in water from the Euphrates River in Ramadi, Iraq. This area was the birthplace of the Anbar Awakening in 2006, uniting U.S. forces and local tribes in a highly successful counterinsurgency against al-Qaida. To me, this is a reminder of the successes and sacrifices of other Navy leaders."
NAVCO connects Americans with their Navy. With most of the Navy's personnel and equipment logically concentrated on America's coasts, NAVCO oversees a number of community outreach programs designed to bring America's Navy to cities throughout the country which do not enjoy a significant Navy presence.
Anderson's oak leaves hold special significance with him.
"I was given these particular oak leaves from Cmdr. Francisco Magallon when I worked at the Pentagon," Anderson said. "They were dipped in water from the Euphrates River in Ramadi, Iraq. This area was the birthplace of the Anbar Awakening in 2006, uniting U.S. forces and local tribes in a highly successful counterinsurgency against al-Qaida. To me, this is a reminder of the successes and sacrifices of other Navy leaders."
NAVCO connects Americans with their Navy. With most of the Navy's personnel and equipment logically concentrated on America's coasts, NAVCO oversees a number of community outreach programs designed to bring America's Navy to cities throughout the country which do not enjoy a significant Navy presence.